Hungarians Spying on Ukraine in Transcarpathia Detained by SSU

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has uncovered an intelligence network of the Hungarian military intelligence service spying against Ukraine. This is the first time in history that such an operation has been revealed.

The press service of the Security Service of Ukraine reported on this.

Their task was to gather information about the military security of the Transcarpathian region, identify vulnerabilities in the region’s ground and air defenses, and study the socio-political views of local residents.

“As a result of comprehensive measures in the Zakarpattia region, the SSU detained two agents from the Hungarian intelligence network. According to the investigation, the handler of both individuals was a career officer from the Hungarian military intelligence service, whose identity has already been identified by the Security Service,” the special service reported.

It was revealed that one of the agents was a 40-year-old former military man from the Berehove district, who was recruited by the Hungarians and placed on ‘standby mode’ back in 2021.

According to the counterintelligence and investigators of the SSU, the handler “activated” this agent in September 2024. He was tasked with studying the local population’s sentiments and gathering the following information:

• What would be the reaction of the military and civilian population of the Zakarpattia region if a peacekeeping contingent, including Hungarian troops, entered the region;
• What military equipment and weapons could be purchased on the black market in Transcarpathia;
• What is the situation regarding the migration of Hungarian population to the region;
• What military forces are stationed in the Zakarpattia region, how many vehicles and combat machines are there;
• How well-equipped are the law enforcement agencies and what is their personnel strength, etc.

It has been documented that after this, the agent personally gathered intelligence on the placement of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the coordinates of S-300 air defense systems in the region.

“After gathering the intelligence, he traveled to Hungary to report to his handler. To cross the border, the traitor obtained a certificate as a caregiver for his sick father, who required treatment at foreign institutions,” the SSU reported.

According to the case materials, during a meeting, the Hungarian intelligence officer handed the agent cash that was intended for carrying out the assigned tasks. Among other things, the agent was tasked with recruiting a network of informants. He attempted to recruit at least two individuals.

“By forming an intelligence network, the foreign intelligence service hoped to expand its range of information gathering, including obtaining data from frontline and near-frontline regions,” the Security Service of Ukraine stated.

In March of this year, the SSU’s counterintelligence documented the agent’s second meeting with his handler. This time, he received a “phone with special software for covert communication.”

Among his new tasks was identifying the official vehicles of the representatives of the Security Service and Defense Forces in the Zakarpattia region. Additionally, he was to find and provide the Hungarian intelligence service with information about the losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the war and current events from the front line, and he had already selected a contact within the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Another detainee turned out to be a former serviceman of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, who left her unit in 2025. According to available information, her tasks included informing the Hungarian intelligence service about the presence of aircraft and helicopters in the Zakarpattia region, as well as the defense systems of the military unit where she had served.

What they face

SSU counterintelligence documented the activities of the Hungarian agents and detained the individuals at their places of residence. During the search, phones and other material evidence of subversive activities were seized.

The investigators from the Security Service have informed the suspects of charges under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (treason committed in a state of war). They are currently in custody. They face life imprisonment with asset forfeiture.